Farmer’s Slang & Its Analogues. 1890–1909, rev. 2022.
Dead duck
subs. phr. (American).—That which has depreciated to the verge of worthlessness.
1
1888. New York Clipper. Long Branch is said to be a DEAD DUCK. But for the investments made at Elberon the Branch proper would probably have been abandoned long ago.
